Rutgers-Newark and Montclair State split doubleheader

College, Montclair State University, Softball

April 4, 2022

The Montclair State Red Hawks (17-6) and the Rutgers-Newark Raiders (6-7) split a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at the MSU softball stadium.

Game 1

The first matchup featured Raiders junior Jackie Lara (3-3) against Red Hawks junior Ali Cavallaro (9-4).

After no action early on, Jackie Lara scored on a throwing error as she was able to skirt by home base for an early 1-0 lead in the third inning. In the bottom half of the inning, Montclair State responded. Junior Jenna Muloso got hit by a pitch and stole second base to set up sophomore Kayla Cosentino with a deep triple to right field, putting the Red Hawks ahead by one run.

In the fifth, junior Michelle McMillan was hit by a pitch and then Jackie Lara walked to first base to give two runners on for the Raiders. Then Cavallaro threw a wild pitch, granting an advancement for the runners. Junior Megan Tomasalli was able to get the easy single to drive in both runners as the Raiders jumped back ahead 3-2. After a sluggish bottom of the fifth for Montclair, senior Danielle Sibillo was able to bring home a runner for the Red Hawks to tie the game 3-3. However, two runners were left on base.

Those two runs that didn't get home would cost the Red Hawks in this one as Michelle McMillan came out the following inning and sent a deep double shot down center field. Senior Riley Scaralli was already on base from a previous single, so she could trot home. That was enough for the Raiders to get the 4-3 victory in game one.

Game 2

The second matchup had Red Hawks ace pitcher Kayla Volante (8-1) square off against Raiders senior Michelle Cappizzano (3-3).

The Raiders showed no lack of momentum from the earlier victory as they came out the gates strong. Jackie Lara got the party started again as she hit a deep single to bring home Michelle McMillan and junior Brianna Hernandez, whom both got base hits earlier. With just Lara on now, Michelle Capizzano was supposed to ground out, but due to a throwing error by Montclair, Lara strolled home to give the Raiders an early 3-0 lead.

Montclair State didn't panic and responded well in a position where they could have easily been frazzled. Kayla Cosentino got things started with a single, and then senior Katie Debell got a single of her own and advanced two extra bases due to two throwing errors. This was able to bring Cosentino home and Montclair State poured it on. In three innings, seniors Amber Reed and Alyssa Borozan had two hits each to flip the script from a 3-0 deficit to a 6-3 lead. Freshman Mariah Carrasco and Katie Debell had base hits in the third inning to extend that lead up to six. Montclair put a vice grip on this game, and they weren't looking back. Rutgers-Newark failed to score a run since their explosive start and fell in this one 9-3.

What's Next For Both Teams

The Montclair State Red Hawks (17-6) will get a couple of days off before heading to Union to take on Kean University (15-5). Rutgers-Newark (6-7) will head out to New York on that same day to take Hunter College (5-7) in a doubleheader.